One of my favorite times to visit the Grand Canyon is during the holiday season. Lots of folks will claim it\’s too cold but I think the lower temperatures are worth the extra effort, especially considering that for the most part you\’ll have to the Park to yourself.

For me, the cold weather advisory really applies to the South Rim, which is located 277 miles from Las Vegas and a couple hours north of Sedona, AZ. There you just might encounter some snow on the ground, which is a great thing because the canyon looks incredibly beautiful with a little powder on its nose.

As for the West Rim, expect temperatures to be more moderate and kind of like what you\’ll experience if you are staying on the Las Vegas Strip. Do note that shorts and sandals won\’t cut it at the West Rim. There will be a bite in the air and you\’ll feel it. So dress for comfort but don\’t go overboard in the casual department.

I get a lot of questions about what to wear so let me address it here. You\’ll want to go in layers. This is where you have an t-shirt, a shirt, a sweater and a light or medium-weight jacket. As the day progresses, things will most likely warm up and you\’ll want to shed a layer or two as you see fit. I also recommend you wear a hat, sunglasses, gloves, sturdy footwear and long pants.

During winter, timing plays a big part. I typically advise my readers to skip any air tour that has you at or in or on top of the canyon before 8 a. M. This really applies to Las Vegas travelers who get enticed by the 7 a. M. Bottom landing tour via helicopter. Skip that one, regardless of the price. It\’s cold and to a certain extent you won\’t get the best light. Instead, opt for a helicopter ride that gets you there between 9 a. M. And noon.

Remember, too, that there are fewer trips during winter and that the days are shorter. How does this affect you? First, sunset helicopter tours will be taking off around 3 p. M., which means you\’ll be getting picked up earlier from your hotel and checking in at around 2:30 p. M. Selection will also be reduced, which can lead to sell outs, so book ahead of time to guarantee your spot.

I know it\’s ironic that tours sell out in winter of all seasons but it happens with regularity. The only kinds of tours that escape this are bus tours and that\’s because they seat nearly 50 people and thus there\’s more capacity. However, don\’t get complacent. Check the weather. If you are taking a South Rim bus tour, there\’s always a strong chance it could be delayed due to weather (this is especially the case with South Rim trips).

Don\’t let weather hold you back from a canyon tour. If you book with the best companies, you\’ll get a 24-hour cancellation policy that entitles you to a full money back refund. Or you can reschedule at no charge. Really depends what works best for you. My point is that you should feel comfortable pre-booking your trip (which I highly recommend) and not have to worry if you get in a wrestling match should you require a refund.

I hope this article about taking a winter tour to the Grand Canyon was helpful. These end-of-the-year months are an incredible time to see the National Park and I hope to see you up there getting your share of this U. S. National treasure.

Ready to take a Grand Canyon tour this winter? First, read these tour reviews http://www.grandcanyon123.com/ . Then go here for a list of the hottest tours at the best prices from Las Vegas: http://www.grandcanyon123.com/las-vegas-tours.html

Ready to take a Grand Canyon tour this winter? First, read these tour reviews http://www.grandcanyon123.com/ . Then go here for a list of the hottest tours at the best prices from Las Vegas: http://www.grandcanyon123.com/las-vegas-tours.html

Author Bio: Ready to take a Grand Canyon tour this winter? First, read these tour reviews http://www.grandcanyon123.com/ . Then go here for a list of the hottest tours at the best prices from Las Vegas: http://www.grandcanyon123.com/las-vegas-tours.html

Category: Travel
Keywords: grand canyon, grand canyon tours, winter tours, tips, advice, deals, helicopter rides, airplane flig